Section "Biomathematics''  of the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics (IMI) at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS)

Brief History:  Section "Biomathematics'' of IMI-BAS is the successor of the former Research group on "Mathematical Modelling in Biology'', within the Center of Biology at BAS (1977-1989); former name: Automation of biological experiment and mathematical modelling.  After restructuring of the Academy in 1989 the group was included in the Institute of Biophysics at BAS (1990-1996) as a section.  In 1996 the group was included in the IMI at BAS as a department on Biomathematics.

Research area:  Biomathematics (mathematical modelling in biology, mathematical biology) with an emphasis on mathematical modelling in ecology, neurophysiology, microbiology, enzyme kinetics, botany, paleobotany, etc.  Developed are numerical methods and tools for mathematical modelling under uncertainties.  Related mathematical fields:  error analysis, reliable computing, set-valued, convex and interval analysis, numerical methods with verification, controlability of dynamical systems, parameter identification under interval data, computer arithmetic, etc.

Scientific achievements:  Developed are:  i) mathematical models of synaptic transmission, models of microbiological and metabolic processes, taxonomy models of plant species, paleoecological models; ii) numerical algorithms and program packages for mathematical modelling, validated computation, parameter identification involving interval data, computer and interval arithmetic; iii) numerical methods with verification for linear, nonlinear and dynamic problems; iv) fundamental results related to the algebraic properties of errors, intervals, convex bodies, zonotopes, stohastic numbers.

Research grants by Bulgarian National Science Fund (1992-2001):  MM-1104/01   Modelling and control of biotechnological processes using mathematical methods for processing uncertain information, (2001-2003); I-903/99 (Interval Computer Algebra); I-507/95 (Embedding of Interval Data Structures and Algorithms with Result Verification in Computer Algebra Systems); MM-521/95 (Numerical Analysis for Problems Involving Uncertain Data); B-210/92 (Mathematical Modelling and Computer Oriented Analysis of Recent and Neogene Diatom Communities); MM-10/91 (Numerical Methods with Result Verification).

Joint projects and research grants: SCOPES IP SNF Project (Establishing CSE in BG and MK, 2002-2004);  Inst.of Fundamental Technological Research, Warsaw, Poland, (Interval Analysis with Diagramatic Representations, 2000-2003);   Bosphorus University-TUBITAK:  (Development and Implementation of Symbolic-Numeric Methods for Problems Involving Interval Data, 1998-99); Universitaet Wuerzburg-DFG-BAS (Multiaspect Data Types in the Implementation of a New Hierarhy of Numerical Spaces having a Reach Algebraic Structure, 1998--99); University Paris VI-CNRS-BAS (Reliability of Numerical Software, 1998-2002); Institute for Informatics, University of Basel - SNSF (Embedding of Methods with Result Verification in Computer Algebra Systems, 1995-96); IIASA, Laxemburg-BAS (Mathematical Modelling of Dynamical Systems, 1989-93); University of Karlsruhe-BAS (Implementation of Decimal Floating-Point Arithmetic in C according to IEEE Std.  854, 1991-92).

Organisation of International Conferences: 

1) SCAN'90 and International Summer School on "Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computation'', Albena, 1990;

2) International Conference on "Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computations'' with Summer School (MMSC-93), Sozopol, 1993;

3) International Symposium and Young Scientists School "Mathematical Modelling and Information Systems in Biology, Ecology and Medicine'' (BIOMATH-95), Sofia, 1995;

4) International Workshop on Reliable Computing and Interval Algebra (RC&IA), Sozopol, 27-29.09.1999; 

5) International minisymposium "Solving linear systems with error control" , August 23, 1998, Sofia, of NMA'98 (see Reliable Computing 5 (1), 97-100, 1999);

6) International Minisymposium "Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computations" (MMSC-2001), April 10, 2001, Borovets within the frames of the 30th Spring Conference of UMB, 8-11 April, 2001, Borovets.

7) International Minisymposium "Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computations" (MMSC-2002), April 4, 2002, Borovets within the frames of the 31th Spring Conference of UMB, 3-6 April, 2002, Borovets.

8) Minisymposium on Control and Uncertain Systems at Fifth International Conference on Numerical Methods and Applications  ( NM&A-02)
20-24.08.2002, Borovets.

9) Minisymposium on   Set-valued Numerics and Reliable Computing  at 4th International Conference on "Large-Scale Scientific Computations"  (Scicom03)
4-8.06.2003, Borovets.

Participation in International Conferences:  Members of the section received over 35 personal invitations for plenary lectures at international conferences and seminars.

Teaching:  The section participates in flexible educational programs leading to M. Sci.  and Ph. D.  degrees in Applied Mathematics for several Universities and doctorants in BAS.   Master courses in biomathematics, reliable computing, numerical analysis and computer arithmetic are offered. Over 20 Diploma and 5 Ph.D.  theses have been completed.

Publications of Section "Biomathematics" of IMI-BAS: - publications related to applications in biology; - publications related to mathematical tools, methods and theories (see also the publications enlisted by individual members).

Over 200 scientific papers, three textbooks, eight proceedings volumes.  

Staff of section Biomathematics

Section "Biomathematics" comprizes eight members (as of August, 2003). The offices of the Section are located in Block 23 of the BAS complex (campus) at the 4-th klm east of Sofia center, "Acad. G. Bonchev" street.  

Annual Reports of Section "Biomathematics" of IMI-BAS: